Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites

Area Status: Open

The Birch Lake Campground is located on the shore of Birch Lake, a 21-mile long lake with 80 miles of shoreline and many beautiful islands. The site provides a remote, quiet atmosphere and is especially popular with people who enjoy fishing for walleye, northern pike, small mouth bass, bluegill and crappie. Two camper cabins are available in the South Loop of the campground: Popple Cabin across from site 20 and Tamarack Cabin across from site 26. There are also 14 back country campsites scattered across Birch Lake (more information at bottom of page).

Downloadable information and map - Birch Lake Campground

Downloadable information and map - Birch Lake Back Country

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Opens May 5, 2024 and closes October 21, 2024.
Reservations:	Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov's Birch Lake Campground page.
Fees:	Single Site: $19/night Group Site: $60/night Cabin Rental: $89/night
Open Season:	May 5 - October 21
Restrictions:	Maximum of 9 people per site. There is space for 1 vehicle and 1 towed vehicle (such as a boat trailer). Additional vehicles at the site require additional half fee and must park on the spur. No vehicles may park on the grass or where they impede traffic. ATVs not allowed.
Closest Towns:	Ely, MN
Water:	Solar powered well, hand-pump well
Restroom:	Outhouse (Vault style)
Operated By:	Concessionaire, host located in the North Loop at site #11, 480-737-3002
Information Center:	Kawishiwi Ranger District Email \| Call \| Address \| Webpage

General Information

Directions:

Birch Lake Campground is located about 13 miles southeast of Ely.

Follow State Highway 1 for 8 miles.
Turn right on Forest Road 429 for 4 miles on gravel road to campground entrance.
Turn left and continue one mile to campground.

General Notes:

This campground has also has a boat launch.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Please use facilities provided such as fire rings, tent pads, and latrines.
Dispose of waste in containers provided.
Water faucets are for drinking water only, do not use as wash areas.
Noise limits enforced, respect your fellow campers.

No. of Sites	30 campsites
No. of Accessible sites	Sites 1, 3 and 6 are accessible.

RV Camping

Sites are pull-in and not specifically designed for RVs. Most can accommodate a moderately sized vehicle.

Group Camping

Group site is located between the South and North Loops. Turn left towards the North Loop. Site has an outhouse (vault style), solar powered well, grassy opening and a trail to the lake.

No. of Sites	1 group site
No. of Accessible sites	1 group site
Reservation info:	Some sites and the pavilion are reservable through National Recreation Reservation Service's Birch Lake Campground page.

Dispersed Camping

There are 14 backcountry campsites on Birch Lake.

Please use facilities provided such as fire rings, tent pads, and latrines. Pack out garbage.

General Info:

Directions

Birch Lake is 8 miles south of Ely and 1 mile northeast of Babbitt. Public access available through 4 boat ramps:

From Ely:

Birch Lake Campground (see directions above)
South Kawishiwi Lake Campground

From Babbitt:

On the Country Club Road 407, off of County Road 70
Babbitt Public Beach off Country Road 623

Cabin Rentals

Exterior of a cabin at Birch Lake Campground showing accessible deck. There are two Rental Cabins. These are simple cabins without electricity or running water. Cabins have four beds (bunks) and sleep four, and come equipped with a futon, table, and four chairs. Bring your own bedding. They do include propane heat and some gas lighting, but do not have a stove or refrigerator. Bring your own camping cooking equipment: cooking is not allowed inside the cabin. There are no separate sanitary facilities for the cabins - outhouses are located at several sites in the campground. Cabins are ADA accessible.

The interior of a cabin at Birch Lake Campground showing bunk beds.

General Info:

Accessibility

Cabins are ADA accessible, with the exception of bunk beds.

Rental info:	Cabins rental fees may be found on the Camping Fee Table. They may be reserved through the National Reservation Service (reservation fee may apply).